supersize my SATURN - 27march 4x p'mate

[Robert_T]

Hi All, finally got some average (5-6) seeing last night. Enough to try the 4x powermate with the 900nc webcam. Failry happy with the result in that I reckon if I get some 7-8 out of 10 seeing I can get some real nice pics with this combo.

Gain ~80%, Gamma 50%, Brightness 50%.

The first is mislabelled as 1/10 exp at 10fps, it's really 1/5 exp at 5fps. The second is probably the sharpest and I've pushed up the brightness on the one on the right to (just) reveal two moons as faint blue smudges.

Comments welcome.

cheers,

[EzyStyles]

very very nice Robert. Cut the 2 moons out of the third pic and paste it in the second ;)

[ving]

would you like coke and fries with that?

nice one Mr T. :D

[asimov]

Only fairly happy he says!? Thats amazing!!!!?

After using my C9.25 last night at 2X I know exactly how big it would have looked on the lappy at 4X!!

Great stuff mate!

BTW how do you go keeping the begger centred while your capturing at that FL on the EQ5?

Absolutely top-shelf capturing Robert...Luv 'em!!

[[1ponders]]

Nice colour balance there Robert. Looks just like a bought one :). I don't think seeing was your only problem, by the look of the time you took them I'd say you may still have a few tube currents affecting the image as well. Get the seeing and currents nailed and I reacon you could be on a winner with that little camera and the 9.25 :thumbsup:

[Robert_T]

Thanks Asi, your in luck, these were actually taken on my EQ5 (rather than the LXD75 which I've been using more lately) so I can tell you it is no probs. The key is no dust bunnies so I'm not trying to weave all over the screen. I'm never taking my IR filter off;) My EQ5 has never been serviced, still have all the original chinese grease in it and is stiff. Tracks quite well though and has only a little backlash.

cheers,

[davidpretorius]

i will save my swear words of joy for the mens language forum

I am extremely happy at this result. 80% gain for saturn and the 4x is exactly what i use.

Next stop a huge jupiter!!!

Can you do us a favour and try stacking only 100 frames, even try a little harder on the create reference stage. That is a great cassini division


well done my friend!!!

[Robert_T]

Hey DP, I gave it a go with best 90 frames from one avi (the ones below were best from a pair of avis). Hmmm...probably going backwards :shrug:

Might try splitting an avi and processing colour channels separately.

cheers,

[davidpretorius]

thanks #3 from the first post has the best ring, not too wide etc. Have you ever tried aligning on the rings only ie the left 1/3, so sharpness is determined by the casiini division more.

can't wait for great seeing. is jupiter looking good for tonight!

[Robert_T]

Davo, I'll give aligning on the ring a go. Probably to get the best images you need to do several sligns on different features and someohow bring the best bits of each together... like the globe from pic 2 and rings from pic 3 in my original would be a good combo.

Hope the seeing doesn't turn it on in the next couple days... I'm knackered!:P

[[1ponders]]

Don't think you have any worry there Rob. Gargoyle_Steve up here on the Coast is probably receiving his 10" GS Dob on Friday. :sad: Just when it was starting to get good again :sad:

[davidpretorius]

thanks rob, positive thinking will ensure that the nice weather is for the weekend!

[Striker]

Another fantastic image of Saturn Robert.

All your images have been impressive.